Mike, (of Mike and Julie Blenkinsop in France fame) has sent me this shot of a classic Diamond T and a Vulcan and the following explanation too.
"Brian, I liked the blog you did recently on that fantastic flying Vulcan story. Filling up BLB with lovely pictures of XH558 is OK by me, however, how about this for a double top? Take one V-Bomber and add one big beautiful 'Diamond T' and, hey presto, this great vintage pic for BLB readers!"
Would you believe that it was bought for £5,000, but I am not sure if that included delivery! I was there on that day, shooting pictures as a freelance for the national press and to witness the magnificent sight as she came into land for the final time.
However, the site was re-developed later for the huge Nissan factory (where they now build the new 'Qashqai', amongst others). About ten years later, the air museum took up a part of the site which was required for expansion of the Nissan facility, so the Vulcan and all the other exhibits had to be moved a few hundred yards to a new site across the road.
That was how the closed-cab type 981 Diamond T, ex-British Army 24YZ88, from Albany Motors of Gateshead, got involved." Now click through here to read more on the move....and where this particular Diamond T is today....
Mike goes on to say: "Well-known haulier and recovery specialist, Tom Bowman, his son Jeff and top mechanic Stuart ran '
Unfortunately, Tom didn't see his retirement, as he, unfortunately, died in 1999. He was a great loss to me personally and to the preservation movement at that time. The 'T' , well, that went on to sit in the Musselburgh collection in
The Vulcan XL319 is still there and has just celebrated her 25th birthday on site. Have a look at the museum site at www.neam.org.uk or better still, when you are on the A19 in the North East, (very easy access), call in to support them. From Mike and Julie Blenkinsop, France."
Great post Mike and thanks. I keep promising myself to look into the Musselburgh collection--and now you've given me an extra reason to do so!
albany are still goging strong 2 day and still have a smart fleet of recovery trucks mack foden renault and a styer geff and stu still run the shop